Compactor tooth



May 24, 1966 E- W. DlLS, JR

COMPACTOR TOOTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1962 United StatesPatent 3,252,391 COMPACTOR TOtDTH Eugene W. Dils, Jr., Vancouver, Wash.,assignor to Esco Corporation, Portland, Greg, a corporation of OregonFiled Aug. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 219,946 3 (Ilaims. (Ci. 94-48) Thisinvention relates to a compactor tooth, and, more particularly, toreplaceable tooth wherein 'a new cap is readily applicable to thepermanently-installedbase.

An environment to which the instantinvention has particular applicationis that of a compactor, i.e., a large roll or drum employed forcompacting earth. These drums may be several feet in diameter and areequipped with projections arranged about the cylindrical surface.Heretofore, the projections were permanently fixed to the surface of thedrum or, if replaceable caps were employed, the same were removed withdifficulty. Also, the rate of wear on the projection caps wasexceedingly high. A general object of this invention is to provide anovel type of tooth or projection for a Compactor which avoids theabove-mentioned difliculties. In particular, the wear portion of thetooth is readily replaceable and is constructed so as to take theapplied stress against selected surfaces so as to maximize the workinglife.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel toothconstruction, especially suited for compactors, and

the like, wherein parts are readily interchangeable so as to extend theeffective working life of the tooth, minimize down-time of the overallequipment, and to facilitate interchange of caps for different workingconditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the detailsof construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, in which FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing acompactor equipped with the inventive teeth;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, such as would be seenalong the sight line 2-2 applied to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another fragmentary sectional view, this corresponding to thatseen along the sight line 3-3 applied to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base portion of the tooth;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap portion of the tooth;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a novel locking key employedin connection with the tooth for fastening the cap onto the base;

' FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the key of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the sight line 88 applied to FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a different form of cap employing aroof top design for rock breaking;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the construction of FIG. 9; and I FIG. 11is a side elevational view of a modified form of cap employing a bubbledesign for rock breaking.

In the illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, thenumeral 26 designates a compactor drum on which a plurality of teeth 21are installed, the drum 2% being equipped with an axial shalt 22suitably journaled in a bearing 23 provided as part of a Compactor frame24. The construction thus described-is well known to the art and is setdown here principally for environmental purposes, the invention beingconcerned with the tooth portion of the compactor and more particularlythe replaceable cap part of the tooth. Such teeth are ad Patented May24, 1966 vantageously employable on wheel tractors as well as on towedcomponents, as shown.

In FIG. 2, the compactor drum 20 is seen in fragmentary form, andattached to the outer surface 25 of the drum 20 is a tooth basegenerally designated 26. The attachment may conveniently be achievedthrough welding as at 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The base 26 is equipped with acap or wear portion generally designated 28, with the base 26 and cap 28being releasably fastened together by means of a key generallydesignated 29.

The base 26, as seen in FIG. 3 in particular, includes a block-like bodypartially hollowed out as at 30. The base 26 is defined in part by afront wall 31 and a rear wall 32, the direction of rotation of the drum20 being indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3. The upper surface 33 of thebase 26 is cylindrical, the surface of revolution being generated by anaxis extending through the point 34. The upper cylindrical surface 33terminaes at the upper ends of the front and rear walls 31 as at 35 and36. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the upper cylindrical surface 33 isinterrupted by a longitudinally-extending slot 37 providing a receivingopening for the shank 38 of the cap 28.

The cap 28 includes a wear portion 39 having an angular upper surface asat 40 to define a peak as at 41. The undersurface 42 is cylindrical andconforms to the upper cylindrical surface 33 to provide a flush or buttfit all around the radius of curvature defining the surfaces 33 and 42.The lower cylindrical surface 42 is flanked by end surfaces 42a and 42bwhich confront the areas 35 and 36 provided on the base 26. However, theconfronting surfaces are normally spaced apart, ie., the surfaces 42aand 36 may have a clearance ofthe order of which thereby permits the cap28 to rotate on the base 26 as different stresses are applied, thesurfaces 42 and 33 being in bearing contact. The surfaces 33 and 42 canbe employed to resistthe total stress whenever that stress is in purethrust, as would be the case of any applied force directed through thepoint 34, and such is designated by the symbol F in FIG. 3.

Normally, however, the applied force will be a mixture of thrust andbeam components so thatin addition to the thrust component extendingthrough the point 34, there will be an orthogonally related component tobe resisted by surfaces described immediately below.

For the purpose of transmitting the beam component of any applied forcesuch as thatdesignated F I provide surfaces 43 and 44 on the shank 38.These surfaces confront and coact with surfaces 45 and 46, respectively,on the base 26. The surface 43 extends generally parallel to the axis ofgeneration 34 of the surfaces 33 and 42. For this purpose, the shank 38(see FIG. 5) is equipped with side nubbins or lugs 47 which depend fromthe lower cylindrical surface 42. The nubbins are positioned betweenlugs or cars 48 provided on the interior vertical walls 49 of the base26. .In actual practice, the fit between the surfaces 43 and 45 is aclose fit, of the order of ,4 per side, or total clearance.

I have found, however, that this fit may be as great as /8" and stillwork satisfactorily, provided, however, that the fit between thesurfaces 43 and 45 is less than the clearance between the confrontingsurfaces 36 and 42a, or 35 and 42b.

It will thus be seen that a portion of an applied force as at P is takenby the surfaces 43 and 45, this being the beam component. The coactingsurfaces, i.e., those cooperating with 43 and 45 in resisting the beamcomponent of the force F are those designated 44 and 46 in FIG. 3.Again, a fit of the order of ,6 per side, or ,5 total clearance, isprovided where the lower portion of the 3 shank 38 fits within themating recess 50 provided by the base 26.

The base 26, in the longitudinal slot portion 37, is longitudinallycontoured as at 51 (see FIG. 3) to preclude any bearing contact betweenthe surface 51 and the undersurface 52 of the shank 38. Thus, the cap28, in side elevation, is essentially T-shaped and fits within aT-shaped opening in the base 26. The shank 38 of the cap 28 istransversely apertured as at 53 to receive the locking key 29, the base26 being apertured as at 54 (see FIG. 2) in line with the opening 53 topermit insertion and removal of the key 29. The key 29 can be seen inFIG. 8 and is generally S-shaped in longitudinal elevational view. The Sshape is developed by providing slots 55 and 56 which each extend infrom the respective ends 57 and 58 of the key 29, partway along thelength thereof. The slots 55 and 56 diverge as the ends 57 and 58,respectively, are approached. The key 29 is constructed of resilientmetal and thus can be compressed transversely to the condition seen inFIG. 2 to develop a resilient locking action. The ends 57 and 58 areenlarged through the use of flanges 59 and 60, respectively, which serveto anchor the key 29 against movement out of the way developed by thealigned openings 53 and 54.

Where there is a reversal of the direction of the beam component of theforce F it will be appreciated that other pairs of surfaces will bebrought into operation. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper beam bearingsurfaces, under this reverse condition, are those designated 45a and 43aon the base 26 and cap 28, respectively. The lower beam bearing surfacesunder this reversed condition are those designated 46a and 44a for thebase and cap, respectively. As indicated above, the spacing of thesurfaces 44 and 44a is slightly less than the spacing of the surfaces 46and 46a, the net difference in the spacing being in the order ofHowever, as in the case of the upper beam bearing surfaces, this spacingcan be increased up to about A" so long as the cap has sufficientfreedom to move arcuately, i.e., pivot, about the point 34 when thedirection of the beam component of an applied stress is changed.

In certain cases, the applied force will have a lateral beam component,as would be the case of the force designated F in FIG. 2.

The beam component of the force F is effectively resisted by upper andlower pairs of beam bearing surfaces, these lying generallyperpendicular to the axis of generation 34. The upper surfaces aredesignated 61 on the shank 38 and 62 on the nubbins 48 (see also FIGS. 4and The lower beam bearing surfaces under this sideways loading aredesignated 63 and 64 relative to the shank 38 and base 26, respectively.

In the instance of a reversal of the beam component from that providedby the force F the opposite upper beam bearing surfaces 61a and 62a comeinto play, and the lower surfaces 64a and 63a come into bearing contact.As before, a close fit, approximately ,6 per side or total clearance, isprovided to accommodate the shift of the cap 28 on the base 26.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the shank 38, adjacent itslower end, i.e., the end adjacent the axis of generation 34 of thesurfaces 33 and 42 or the axis 20a of the drum 20, is of generallyrectangular cross section, being defined by the beam bearing surfaces44, 44a, 63 and 63a.

The upper portion of the shank can also be considered to have arectangular cross-sectional configuration, providing beam bearingsurfaces 61, 61a, 43 and 43a.

In the operation of the device, the base 26 is permanently installed onthe drum 20 as by welding at 27. As a cap becomes worn, the key 29 isremoved and a new or different cap is installed. In some instances, itmay be advantageous to use a different shaped cap such as thosedesignated 128 or 228, respectively, in FIGS. 9 and 11. In any event,the base 26 will be somewhat worn, but I have found that the wearing ofthe base 26 is uniform and this is particularly true along thecylindrical surface 33. Thus, whichever type cap is installed, therewill be a butt or full bearing fit between the arcuate surfaces 33 and42, which permits the cap 28 to pivot relative to the base 26 upon achange in the direction of the beam component of an applied force.

Field trials thus far have shown that the inventive design produceslittle wear of the bearing surfaces after more than 800 hours of heavyduty operation. I find that the bearing surfaces of the bases fit aswell after this extensive operation as they did at the beginning. Thestresses on the lugs 48 are low because of the short lever arm from thelugs 48 to any force on the cap 28- inducing a resisting force couple inthe lugs 48 and shank 38.

While in the foregoing specification I have set down a detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention, many variations in thedetails herein given may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A replaceable cap for a block-shaped compactor tooth base whereinsaid base has its inner surface secured on a cylindrical drum andwherein said base is equipped with a generally cylindrical outer surfacehaving parallel axes, with the drum having a substantially greatercurvature than said surface, said surface being centrally interrupted bya slot extending circumferentially perpendicular to the drum axis, saidslot being centrally, laterally enlarged to provide opposed generallyrectangular recesses and said base being equipped with laterally alignedopenings below said recesses for the receipt of a locking key, said capcomprising a T-shaped element having an outer wear portion having aninner cylindrical bearing surface adapted to enter into surface bearingcontact with said base outer surface, said cap further including anintegral shank portion extending into said slot, said shank portionbeing apertured to receive said locking key when the shank aperture isaligned with said openings, said shank portion adjacent its inner endhaving a generally rectangular cross-section adapted to limitedlyshiftably fit within a similarly contoured portion of said slot, saidcap also including integral generally rectangular lugs on oppositelateral sides of said shank portion and interrupting said innercylindrical bearing surface, said lugs being sized and adapted tolimitedly shiftably fit within said recesses so as to engage confrontingsurfaces thereof whereby the component of said force other than thecomponent passing through the last-mentioned axis is transmitted byradially spaced bearing surfaces on said shank portion and lugs to saidbase.

2. In combination, a block-shaped compactor tooth base having its innersurface secured on a cylindrical drum, said base being equipped with agenerally cylindrical outer surface, the drum and cylindrical outersurface having parallel axes with the drum having a substantiallygreater curvature than said surface, said surface being centrallyinterrupted by a slot extending circumferentially perpendicular to thedrum axis, said slot being centrally, laterally enlarged to provideopposed generally rectangular recesses and said base being equipped withlaterally aligned openings below said recesses for the receipt of alocking key, a replaceable cap comprising a T-shaped element having anouter wear portion having an inner cylindrical bearing surface insurface bearing contact with said base outer surface, said cap furtherincluding an integral shank portion extending into said slot, said shankportion being apertured to receive said locking key with the shankaperture being aligned with said openings, a locking key extendingthrough said aperture and openings, said shank portion adjacent itsinner end having a generally rectangular cross-section adapted tolimitedly shiftably fit within a similarly contoured portion of saidslot, said cap also including integral generally rectangular lugs onopposite lateral sides of said shank portion and interrupting said innercylindrical bearing surface, said lugs being sized and adapted tolimitedly shiftably fit within said recesses so as to engage confrontingsurfaces thereof whereby the component of said force other than thecomponent passing through the last-mentioned axis is transmitted byradially spaced bearing surfaces on said shank portion and lugs to saidbase.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said locking key comprises anelongated unitary body constructed of 10 associated end is approached,and a transverse flange at 15 each key end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hyde 301-44Hackney 301-44 Einfeldt 30144 Robinet 30l-44 Frenzel 301-44 Averette9448 Palmiter 94-50 Averette 9448 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiner. N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A REPLACEABLE CAP FOR A BLOCK-SHAPED COMPACTOR TOOTH BASE WHEREINSAID BASE HAS ITS INNER SURFACE SECURED ON A CYLINDRICAL DRUM ANDWHEREIN SAID BASE IS EQUIPPED WITH A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL OUTER SURFACEHAVING PARALLEL AXES, WITH THE DRUM HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY GREATERCURVATURE THAN SAID SURFACE, SAID SURFACE BEING CENTRALLY INTERRUPTED BYA SLOT EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE DRUM AXIS, SAIDSLOT BEING CENTRALLY, LATERALLY ENLARGED TO PROVIDE OPPOSED GENERALLYRECTANGULAR RECESSES AND SAID BASE BEING EQUIPPED WITH LATERALLY ALIGNEDOPENINGS, BELOW SAID RECESSES FOR THE RECEIPT OF A LOCKING KEY, SAID CAPCOMPRISING A T-SHAPED ELEMENT HAVING AN OUTER WEAR PORTION HAVING ANINNER CYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE ADAPTED TO ENTER INTO SURFACE BEARINGCONTACT WITH SAID BASE OUTER SURFACE, SAID CAP FURTHER INCLUDING ANINTEGRAL SHANK PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAID SLOT, SAID SHANK PORTIONBEING APERTURED TO RECEIVE SAID LOCKING KEY WHEN THE SHANK APERTURE ISALIGNED WITH SAID OPENINGS, SAID SHANK PORTION ADJACENT ITS INNER ENDHAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION ADAPTED TO LIMITEDLYSHIFTABLY FIT WITHIN A SIMILARLY CONTOURED PORTION OF SAID SLOT, SAIDCAP ALSO INCLUDING INTEGRAL GENERALLY RECTANGULAR LUGS ON OPPOSITELATERAL SIDES OF SAID SHANK PORTION AND INTERRUPTING SAID INNERCYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE, SAID LUGS BEING SIZED AND ADAPTED TOLIMITEDLY SHIFTABLY FIT WITHIN SAID RECESSES SO AS TO ENGAGE CONFRONTINGSURFACES THEREOF WHEREBY THE COMPONENT OF SAID FORCE OTHER THAN THECOMPONENT PASSING THROUGH THE LAST-MENTIONED AXIS IS TRANSMITTED BYRADIALLY SPACED BEARING SURFACES ON SAID SHANK PORTION AND LUGS TO SAIDBASE.